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68 Responses to “Model’s Workshop (41)”

First off, I agree it would be nice to have some contests requiring raw photos as entries.
When you participate to a casting to enter a model agency, experienced and professional agency owners can see talent in a raw snapshot and they usually require photos not to be extensively edited.
However, designers may want to be able to use contest entries for commercial purposes, it’s their right and of course they will appreciate high quality/professional pictures.

Second, I noticed posing is not really taken into account by most juries in most contests I had the chance to attend as audience. The problem here is judges, who are often not capable of judging what a good pose or a good runway performance is. Most people who are called to judge in SL have no experience in RL modeling, and they stick to what is considered good with SL parameters, which are acceptable since we are in SL. If designers are happy with chosen winners, I don’t see any problem.

My advice to Sabine, and to all aspiring top models in SL, is to invest only when that investment is worthy a chance to work with the best. Either be it one, or two prestigious modeling academies, or a casting call to an important model agency, invest some L$.

There are hundreds of contests in SL and I warmly suggest you to select ONE designer you are particularly fond of and that you honestly appreciate, and give it a try, invest some L$ to participate to his/her contest.

It’s ridiculous to see the same model participating to dozens contests in the name of popularity, without respect for the designers that model is committing to. If there was respect, a model wouldn’t participate to all Miss/Mister 2011 available on the grid, but would limit to the 1 or 2 favorites.

Modeling in SL is hard, it takes a huge amount of time and constant efforts and practice in improving own styling and runway abilities. But it is truly rewarding when you have the opportunity to work with real professionals. The happiest SL models I know are NOT the most “popular”, they don’t waste 25k L$ over contests, they may have not won anything but they are still recognized as Top Models.

Please models, or wannabe models, do not confuse popularity with real fashion.

You missed Sabine’s follow-up that was also taken down. As long as we’re invoking Fair Use here you go:

The meat of the issue for those of you who missed it is that no matter where you go in the fashion world in SL you will 9 times out of 10 see the same people over and over again. You will see the same faces and the same names in contest, on the runway, etc. making it all most impossible for “mere mortal” models to have a chance to rise above the fray. It is so repetitive you want to stop your head from spinning. The players are going to promote their pals and the only chance to move up the ranks is to either be in favor or out last everyone. To out last takes a long time, money, and most people give up way before they get there out of frustration and then more then likely some new person will be in favor over you.You spend thousands of dollars on contest for the clothes and the photos. Frankly in this day and time with many of us unemployed or under employed who has the money to waste like that anymore. By the time I finished submitting to one contest I had spent in the range of $25000L. I know I am not the only one who has put a lot of money on contest, I certainly can’t be when I know every photographer is booked for ages. Models spend and spend and everyone else makes money off of us just trying to be the best that we can be.I know designers want to and need to make money but what if for a change they took steps to make contest more fair for the rest of us and also cheaper. What would happen if for a change every once in a while someone said send in a raw photo instead of some magical photoshopped wonder. Granted I have nothing against photographers, it is the expense I am talking about. For those of us who are short of PS skills it sure would be refreshing. Could a designer maybe have a range of outfits you could choose from for a contest – maybe 5-10 where it was fairer to all and not such a huge outlay of cash? What about having a limited amount of each outfit for the contest so that we were not all wearing the same thing. Maybe you if you had to buy something you would not have to pay more the 100-200L for the contest outfits. That would be refreshing.
Also why is it that we are taught that adjusting prims and posing are so important then why in a contest is it the ones who pose poorly who seem to move ahead? Shouldn’t those things count as much as who they are? After all those things are the very basic principles of what we all know and learn and if you can’t do that then you don’t have the skills to be a model. I know if I was judging something and a person had issues like that they would not get my vote no matter who they were. Theme is important here too and if you present something that is out of the realms of the theme it might be interesting but more then likely it will just look odd. There will be a discussion on Monday with Model’s Workshop on The Twisted World of Contest. People are also stepping up and saying that things need to change. With close to 500 people reading my comments and many contacting me there is a sea of discontent in the way things are handled and I have just stirred the pot. I just want to see the playing field be fair for everyone and not the same select few each every time.Standing up and speaking your mind no matter if people like it or not is a good thing and frequently good for the soul. Being bold enough to stick your neck out makes you a stronger person in the long run because you are a risk taker who can possibly change the way things are done. The meat of the issue for those of you who missed it is that no matter where you go in the fashion world in SL you will 9 times out of 10 see the same people over and over again. You will see the same faces and the same names in contest, on the runway, etc. making it all most impossible for “mere mortal” models to have a chance to rise above the fray. I is so repetitive you want to stop your head from spinning. The players are going to promote their pals and the only chance to move up the ranks is to either be in favor or out last everyone. To out last takes a long time, money, and most people give up way before they get there out of frustration and then more then likely some new person will be in favor over you. You spend thousands of dollars on contest for the clothes and the photos. Frankly in this day and time with many of us unemployed or under employed who has the money to waste like that anymore. By the time I finished submitting to one contest I had spent in the range of $25000L.I know I am not the only one who has put a lot of money on contest, I certainly can’t be when I know every photographer is booked for ages. Models spend and spend and everyone else makes money off of us just trying to be the best that we can be.I know designers want to and need to make money but what if for a change they took steps to make contest more fair for the rest of us and also cheaper. What would happen if for a change every once in a while someone said send in a raw photo instead of some magical photoshopped wonder. Granted I have nothing against photographers, it is the expense I am talking about. For those of us who are short of PS skills it sure would be refreshing. Could a designer maybe have a range of outfits you could choose from for a contest – maybe 5-10 where it was fairer to all and not such a huge outlay of cash? What about having a limited amount of each outfit for the contest so that we were not all wearing the same thing. Maybe you if you had to buy something you would not have to pay more the 100-200L for the contest outfits. That would be refreshing.
Also why is it that we are taught that adjusting prims and posing are so important then why in a contest is it the ones who pose poorly who seem to move ahead? Shouldn’t those things count as much as who they are? After all those things are the very basic principles of what we all know and learn and if you can’t do that then you don’t have the skills to be a model. I know if I was judging something and a person had issues like that they would not get my vote no matter who they were. Theme is important here too and if you present something that is out of the realms of the theme it might be interesting but more then likely it will just look odd.
There will be a discussion on Monday with Model’s Workshop on The Twisted World of Contest. People are also stepping up and saying that things need to change. With close to 500 people reading my comments and many contacting me there is a sea of discontent in the way things are handled and I have just stirred the pot. I just want to see the playing field be fair for everyone and not the same select few each every time.Standing up and speaking your mind no matter if people like it or not is a good thing and frequently good for the soul. Being bold enough to stick your neck out makes you a stronger person in the long run because you are a risk taker who can possibly change the way things are done.

Sabine, the DMCI protects ownership of Digital Work – words, images, etc. You could be upset if someone took your words (or any of your intelectual property, for that matter) and reclaim them as theirs. I repeat: DCMI protects ownership. You are responsible for what you wrote.

Once published, you have to own your intelectual property. Nobody here is claiming that your words belong to somebody else. They belong to you. It’s clear, here.
If you don’t want to be quoted, for something you wrote yourself – as you were here – think twice before you write.

It’s your words, it’s your responsability.
Even if you remove something from the web, believe me, it can be found.

You should never be upset about something you wrote. Take full responsability yourself.

I’d be pissed like hell if someone would use my words or intelectual property and claim ownership for my work. You cannot, cause you wrote it. Claim your responsability, even if you then considered to remove your text. It can be found. It can be used for criticism or comment or even teaaching purposes – according to DMCA, this is called Fair Use.

Miss Virtual World is no joke to the people competing in it, or to Frolic Mills’ and his incredible show staff, the clothing/hair/skin/accessory designers, the photographers, the trainers, the posemakers, the builders, SL’s media and all the wonderful sponsors who invested so much money andhard work in making Miss Virtual World special. Again………..

I’ve spoken to many of the contenders that I know and every one of them seems to be having a ball with this. The ones that Tres Beau has sponsored ( Ohhhhhh yeah we do that and don’t charge them a single $Linden you know ) are pumped up and loving the attention they’ve received.

I did hear about one thing that pissed me off where a contestant broke her word and ditched a SPECTACULAR designer who wasn’t paying her enough “attention” The replacement is mediocre btw but was willing to do anything to have some of her work in the event. Go figure………. That’s why Tres beqau uses a contract with teeth to protect our “investment” once we’ve begun. Kim has given that contract to many designers and it’s precluded a lot of trouble.

Soooooooooo while some of you throw stones, lots of others are having some fun with this and that’s what we come to SL to do.

lol – look who is talking about bullying! FM is not a cyber bully at all; in fact if he ever responds it’s only AFTER he has been bullied by someone else.

So others can express their opinions, but he cannot? That’s ridiculous!

And btw he never said anything bad about the USA nor capitalism. I was there and I know that what he did say was that Second Life was a land of oppportunity and that designers and models had the right to choose how to run their lives and businesses just like in the usa. So Oh Please, if your IQ is lower than 20, then I suggest you stop posting anywhere, and if you are going to do it, then at least put your name so we can all bully your dumb ass!

I’ve edited the post below to give credit to the original source and claim Fair Use. This happens often in RL media, it’s not a copyright violation. The original post is no longer available, it was posted here, I believe, for the exact reasons that Fair Use protects, for commentary and criticism.

Sabine, you should know that when you put something in writing, whether in the virtual universe or regular black and white print, there is a permanence to those words, whether you ‘erase’ them or not. You really did make a huge judgment error when you posted. Not only will people remember what you have written, but your words are going to remain in some manner. So, it’s a violation of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act for someone to reproduce your post? Go ahead, report an anonymous poster for pasting a blog post you made about virtual modeling in an imaginary virtual world and see how seriously they take you. You’ll only continue to make a fool of yourself like you already have.

Frolic Mills is a virtual cyber bully and a narcisstic tyrant. Why bring an entourage of people because someone expressed their honest opinion about the fashion industry. Albeit it might have been tactless and out of sheer frustration, but it just proves how distorted the fashion industry can be when they show up in droves to bring someone down for voicing one’s opinion.

The MVW is a laughing joke. It’s blatent nepotism is shady, dodgy, and totally disgusting. They are all in cahoots with each other, the designers, the people who put it together and most of all, Mr. Mills himself, which I am sure is laughing all the way to the bank with loads he makes with “Miss Virtual World Academy” among other things.

The only victims are the models who think by winning these rigged contests that they will make it to the top. Designers promise gifts for the entrants and don’t deliver. They don’t even announce winner sometimes.. they pick their friends or who Frolic Mills and his cronies deem appropriate. I have seen it all. Been there and done that. Just know that SL is not only about the BOSL crowd with the “elitist” attitude and high opinion of themselves which only they can butter each other up with. The rest of SL world could give a flying **** about them.

@Regina now’s Comment: Very philosophical. We don’t come to SL to be preached to by holier than thou pontificators like you. We can go to church to get that in our real lives if we choose to. So what’s your point?

Regina says: What I wrote in my previous posts would be categorized under “commonsense”, and my posts are there for everyone to see and draw whatever conclusions they want out of it if they choose to. If commonsense is “holier than thou attitude” to you, you certainly do not need to go to church to get it🙂

see below:

@Regina now’s Comment: The loss is that Model’s Workshop for one has been badly harmed for one thing. The benefit to “models” is their choosing to spend their second lives in this way and the joy they get from it. They voluntarily pay. No one forces them to buy anything. If creators stop doing contests, pageants and shows what will the models do for fun?

Commonsense would ask: Models allegedly spend money that has a real life value, amidst alleged nepotism as you mentioned in your previous post, and derive joy from this, and this is expected to be fun for them? And this really is where all the joy and fun they can get in life comes from? And losing this kind of joy and fun is a loss?🙂

@Regina now’s Comment: Many of them want to be “employed” and will do whatever it takes to land work.This is SL not RL we don’t care about their RLs

Commonsense would say: Who are these “we” that do not care about their employees’ real lives? Is that the attitude of people who have employees or people who have slaves? Whether you like it or not, real life is the basis of everything and commonsense dictates that one should always strive to improve the quality of one’s real life.🙂

@Regina now’s Comment: Sorry. Vested interests are integral to the SL economy. Creators spend a lot to do what they do and need to make a profit to carry on. It’s real work whether you agree or not. This part is very real. If Frolic makes his living in SL is it any business of yours btw?

Commonsense would say: Models create a lot of revenue for “creators” and modeling schools,they also have a right to a financially rewarding career. Your comments on Regina’s reply are there to defend whatever vested interest you have in second life, vested interests are quite natural and expected. Regina does not know Frolic Mills in real life, Regina does not wish to know him, Regina never cared and will never care about how Frolic Mills chooses to earn his living or live his life, it is of no significance🙂

………………………..

Commonsense from previous post:
“Anyone who allows another avatar or a virtual reality to make them feel less than they are, perhaps deserves to feel that way. Anyone that feels better by putting others down or the need to be superior, loved and adored by most people truly has my sympathy in real life and second life

What everyone can learn from this, if anyone is willing to learn, is how to be a better person in real life and what truly makes a difference and adds to the quality of your real life. If second life is not helping you to become a better person in real life, maybe it is time for a break, there is so much out there in the real world that you can bring you much fulfillment.”

You have a few valid points but you can’t put down models and contests just because you didn’t win. Have you ever thought that it might not be your styling and looks, that it is your attitude and personality that need adjusting? For the past two years, you have been constantly whining about yourself, why can’t you be happy that you made it in Evane or Glance which are great agencies. Models like you are greedy and throws temper tantrums when you don’t get what you want. OMG, I’m going to leave SL because I didn’t win a contest or got in an agency….so all agencies and contests must be unfair and rigged. Grow Up! Have you ever thought that those who won may actually be better than you and worked harder? Oh No, since you didn’t win, you resort to bad mouthing contests and models who actually worked hard and are a success in the fashion industry. If you are unemployed, why the hell are you spending your money in SL? Spend your money on a college education and some therapy to build up your self-esteem and set your priorities straight.

I see that my COPYRIGHTED blog comments were posted without my permission on Agency Report. I took that post down for a reason. Everyone knows what I said good, bad, or indifferent. I apologized to those who needed to be apologized to. You don’t have my permission to post that!!! This is a copyright VIOLATION and it needs to be deleted IMMEDIATELY. Everyone in SL knows how people feel about that – remove this post please and any other posts related to it. This a violation of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act and I will report this if it isn’t removed.

Why exactly should models who “pay” into the pockets of creators of some of these contests be the losers in this particular scenario you mentioned? Are the vast majority of them getting any monetary benefit out of participating in contests they pay for? What exactly is this “loss”?

Comment: The loss is that Model’s Workshop for one has been badly harmed for one thing. The benefit to “models” is their choosing to spend their second lives in this way and the joy they get from it. They voluntarily pay. No one forces them to buy anything. If creators stop doing contests, pageants and shows what will the models do for fun?

If they are not employed by these so called “creative people”, what exactly have they lost? If they are paid, does their wage translate into something that would make a significant difference in their real lives?

Comment: Many of them want to be “employed” and will do whatever it takes to land work.This is SL not RL we don’t care about their RLs

There is nothing heroic or exemplary about the stance that Frolic Mills and his gang took at that meeting, if there is anything they did at that meeting by appearing en masse together within the same time frame, they seemed to confirm the allegations that there is a gang who attempts to control sections of the modeling industry in second life. Also, like I mentioned in my earlier post, everyone at that meeting attended it to defend a vested interest and everyone showed their true personality. If anyone is in doubt, they should get hold of a copy of transcripts of that meeting, and whilst glancing at some of the statements, think about the personality and who exactly in real life is behind an avatar making some comments.

Comment: Sorry. Vested interests are integral to the SL economy. Creators spend a lot to do what they do and need to make a profit to carry on. It’s real work whether you agree or not. This part is very real. If Frolic makes his living in SL is it any business of yours btw?

I will quote from my previous post: “What everyone can learn from this, if anyone is willing to learn, is how to be a better person in real life and what truly makes a difference and adds to the quality of your real life. If second life is not helping you to become a better person in real life, maybe it is time for a break, there is so much out there in the real world that you can bring you much fulfillment.”

Comment: Very philosophical. We don’t come to SL to be preached to by holier than thou pontificators like you. We can go to church to get that in our real lives if we choose to.

“I can’t say that loud enough – can you hear me on the other side of the grid. Yes, this will probably get me in trouble in the fashion industry but you know what – I don’t care!!!!!!!!!!! All contest are is a way for those mere mortals of us to waste our time and money buying some designers creations with the only marginal hopes that we might be one of the picks. But if you are a mere mortal you have absolutely no chance of making it as if your name is not on the MVW list – past or present or you are not someones buddy, favorite or someone’s kiss ass you are not going to make it. You can bet EVERY SINGLE CONTEST you will see the same names over and over and over again until you feel like your head is going around in circles.

Forget people like me who have been in modeling for almost 2 years working hard, spending way more then they should in time and money to have the best, look the best etc. People like myself who do everything on their own and who don’t have a sponsor and or mentor are never going to win. I am not a sore loser, you all know me well enough to know that BUT I am sick of putting my heart into something and never getting picked. The head shot you see here is from a recent contest that I entered. It is stunning and frankly everyone said it was the best there but it did yet I did not get picked. Why – who in the hell knows – in fact the pictures of the picks for that month were down right ugly. They however had MVW or other good connections so they got picked – PUKE!

Why is it that every single contest these days seems to require that you spend thousands of dollars on some photo by someone who is a genius in photoshop. You know what – we should boycott these contest as it is just not fair. People who don’t have the money or the photoshop skills don’t stand a chance. What would happen if there was a contest where people submitted raw shots and you could actually see what a person really looked like warts and all. Wouldn’t that be more fair then someone waving a magic wand to make you beautiful.

Another thing, you work hard on your poses and spend hours going through your poses to make sure that nothing is distorted etc only to see contestants on the runway with bad poses. I ride a broom around at SE when someone does not use a good pose – they can’t have one single prim out of place. GOD FORBID that is applied to the people who pose on the runway. Maybe it might in MVW but that is about the only place! One side comment here – I was in one contest recently – once again I worked very hard on my look etc only not to make the finalist cut. But it was a voting contest – they are terrible and I would never enter one but this is a good well respected place. I didn’t make the cut but at least all of us who were the finalist got in the agency. Wow I actually have something to show for my money there. I figure it is like an agency that makes you take their training before you can join – don’t get me started here. Rolling on the floor hollowing in laughter as if those agencies can’t look at the places I went to school – 10 different academies – and the fact that I am an modeling instructor – oh lord help them please. But the point is it was not a complete waste of my efforts for that contest.

What happened to places who don’t hold true to the theme of their store and they pick these people who are so all over the place with their style. Excuse me but what does an indian headdress have to do with lingerie? Nothing – not one thing. Everyone says go to the store so you can get a clue of what they are looking for but don’t go by that as frankly that now seems to be the wrong rule of thumb. Fashion Forward or Styling Forward – whatever you want to call it – was a great thing as it made us all step up our styling skills but when you are one of the best stylist on the grid – yes you all know it is true that I am and I am not being conceited here – you had better have a damn good idea of what looks good and what looks bad and is just out and out odd. Hey my dear best friend is the Ultimate Stylist per Fashion Forward.

Speaking of Fashion Forward – what in the heck happened with them announcing the winners. There was never a notice anywhere!! It was a big deal and not one person posted anything to say congrats to the three ladies standing there in the end – that is SO WRONG. It is sad.

Because of the sad way that contest are run and the fact that it does not seem that I am worthy contest material I am seriously considering leaving the modeling industry. A person can only put their heart out there so many times to have people kick it and spit on it. I have had enough! For one I can’t afford to enter contest anymore – it is a lot of money for ZERO reward! I frankly am even seriously thinking about leaving SL all together.So the next time your store has a contest I hope you will think friggin outside the box and pick fresh faces, not require people to spend a bunch of money on stuff they can’t afford in this day and time, and use raw photos to be more fair. Make it about styling and being true to yourself and please don’t pick your friends time and time again. It just is not fair to anyone and makes your store look bad when you do.

Over and out and kiss my ass contest you can all shove it!!!”

Posted for commentary and criticism under Fair use under United States law.
Examples of fair use include commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching, library archiving and scholarship.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use

Why exactly should models who “pay” into the pockets of creators of some of these contests be the losers in this particular scenario you mentioned? Are the vast majority of them getting any monetary benefit out of participating in contests they pay for? What exactly is this “loss”?

If they are not employed by these so called “creative people”, what exactly have they lost? If they are paid, does their wage translate into something that would make a significant difference in their real lives?

There is nothing heroic or exemplary about the stance that Frolic Mills and his gang took at that meeting, if there is anything they did at that meeting by appearing en masse together within the same time frame, they seemed to confirm the allegations that there is a gang who attempts to control sections of the modeling industry in second life. Also, like I mentioned in my earlier post, everyone at that meeting attended it to defend a vested interest and everyone showed their true personality. If anyone is in doubt, they should get hold of a copy of transcripts of that meeting, and whilst glancing at some of the statements, think about the personality and who exactly in real life is behind an avatar making some comments.

I will quote from my previous post: “What everyone can learn from this, if anyone is willing to learn, is how to be a better person in real life and what truly makes a difference and adds to the quality of your real life. If second life is not helping you to become a better person in real life, maybe it is time for a break, there is so much out there in the real world that you can bring you much fulfillment.”

Yes, the real losers are the SL modeling community, the members of Model’s Workshop and the, unjustly, accused creatives who employ models. Monica Balut, founder of the floundering, Model’s Workshop, unfortunately, tried to capitalize on the sudden uproar over Sabine’s whining, arrogant blogpost, with a patented Herradura Baar move, grabbing the spotlight, and then it blew up in her face with a bang. She couldn’t facilitate her own meeting when the victims of Sabine’s withering blast, showed up en masse, led by Frolic Mills, to speak up, let Sabine know in no uncertain terms that she was toast and refused to let Monica twist this hot mess into a pitty party for Sabine.

So WTF is going on with Model’s Workshop? Model’s Workshop is rudderless at this point and drifting. Why? Ask Monica, and the others, what happened and why people have lost interest in supporting what was once a free, open, bright spot in the grim, nepotistic world of SL’s modeling community, where any model could get solid advice and an ear without spending a $Linden.

So maybe, now, there will be less contests for all of you to enter since they aren’t appreciated and, perhaps, create negative publicity for the sponsors who cheat all of you out of your hard-earned $Lindens.

It is shameful that Sabine felt she had to retract her statement, she should have stuck to her guns and perhaps worded her opinions with more tact. They are her opinions and like any opinion, some people will always agree and others will disagree, an opinion stands when its source is unapologetic about it. So Sabine’s virtual career is now in jeopardy? Really? And if that is truly the case, what has this taken away from her real life?

I was able to lay my hands on transcripts of this so-called heated workshop meeting and glanced through it, it is quite a marvel to have on record the ramblings of some of these self appointed doyens of fashion, beauty & modeling in second life, the person behind the avatar always emerges, the question we should ask is: who are these people with such personalities in real life? Are these truly happy people? If these are older people, are they mature? If these are younger people, what is the state of the quality of their real lives?

So Sabine the other girl or one of those frustrated people dared to suggest a boycott? And “everyone” is angry? Yet we have Frolic Mills along with some cohorts and minions suggesting that if you do not like something, you should by all means leave it in that meeting, is a boycott not composed of people who do not like a particular thing avoiding that particular thing? Frolic Mills had unflattering things to say about the US and capitalism…and in the audience you have Americans such as Charlie Absent nodding their heads and clapping their hands in agreement, what has happened to common sense and intelligence? From what I glanced at briefly in the transcripts, it seems almost everyone who attended that meeting came there to defend a vested interest, not everyone defended it well, but it seems most people portrayed their personality for what they are in real life. Anyone who allows another avatar or a virtual reality to make them feel less than they are, perhaps deserves to feel that way. Anyone that feels better by putting others down or the need to be superior, loved and adored by most people truly has my sympathy in real life and second life

What everyone can learn from this, if anyone is willing to learn, is how to be a better person in real life and what truly makes a difference and adds to the quality of your real life. If second life is not helping you to become a better person in real life, maybe it is time for a break, there is so much out there in the real world that you can bring you much fulfillment.

Sabine Mortenwold must be one of the most hated person in SL right now. If I were her, I would start with a new alt. Maybe she thought ranting and raving about not winning will make her famous. You sure got the attention now, Sabine. Keep in mind that if you want to get away with a DIVA attitude, you actually have to be famous.

I didn’t attend last Model’s Workshop, but from what I read here, this is drama.
There might be unfair contests, but fortunately there are serious ones, too. However, even serious and well organized contests usually have a jury made of individuals with their own vision, likes and dislikes. If a model is not picked and she/he thinks she did an outstanding job, probably that was not the representation jury was looking for.

Models, if you claim to be professional models, never give up and most of all, NEVER EVER rant your frustration in public. Reporting a scam is informative (as long as you have proof), but venting because you were not chosen for a casting or contest is off. No matter if you feel overwhelmed and frustrated, if you feel sick and you’be been sleepless, if you can’t manage to balance SL and RL.

If a RL model causes drama, finds excuses or complains, as a matter of fact she won’t be hired again. End of story.

Sorry (still angered) that payment is long overdue and should have been taken care of a while ago You must have sent the invoice to the wrong address.

But now I’ve transferred the L$15,000 fee (see the transaction recored appended below please)for your speech to the Model’s Workshop on “ You too can make BIG $Lindens as a spokesmodel in SL” That session was a HUGE hit and now and we’ll be paying royalties based upon the transcripts/DVDs sold too. Those will be substantial over time.

I’ve also lined up several other lucrative speaking engagements for you, for similarly scaled fees, so get a hold of me in-world and we’ll book those real soon now. One requires that you wear a collar and crawl behind me on your knees but that shouldn’t be a problem for you given the kind of cash being paid. Right? I mean we all understand what you REALLY are don’t we?

Monica was not thinking smart when she invited Sabine Mortenwold to be the speaker at Monday’s workshop. She most likely thought it would be an open discussion among models who were frustrated with contests and instead got an army of well-known industry names who were there because of the ways in which they were slandered, insulted, and offended by Sabine’s original blog post. Mistakes happen, yes, they do, but impulsive posting where you basically accuse people of being cheats, liars, ass-kissers, and more is something that can’t be erased even with apologies. She even went so far as to personally insult the styling of one model in particular and called the photos of several others who beat her in a recent contest “downright ugly”. It is okay to have a cause. But Sabine Mortenwold stepped over a particular line and went more than a little bit overboard with her insulting and arrogant words. Sabine cannot win a contest because she is not unique and is not up to par and cannot compete effectively with the other models out there, not because all contests across the grid are predetermined. Models’ Workshop support of Sabine and her behaviour is going to be as detrimental to the group as Sabine’s post is going to be to her modeling career, mark my words.

Sabine can be excused for her emotional outburst on her blog. Here are her after thoughts from her blog:

To err is to be human and we all have frustrations in life both in SL and in RL that make us upset, hurt and angry. I voiced some things over the last few days in my blog that a lot of people have felt in the SL modeling industry whether they choose to say so or not. Some people responded to what I said and shared that they felt exactly the same way. Others were furious and offended with me for speaking out and expressing my hurt and annoyance.

I sincerely apologize to those I wrongly offended by publicly venting my frustrations regarding contest in general.

My intention with my blog posting – if you take out the anger and frustration – was to shine light on the fact that many contests in SL are ran unfairly and as participants in contests, we should not allow them to get away with it. That being said we should also not let others who are unfair in the fashion industry – copybotters who get away with content theft and do the damage they cause to the designers but back to the point. We spend a lot of money for clothes, accessories, photos, and then are severely frustrated and disheartened when all that work was for nothing as a winner was already pre-determined, or chosen at the end based on popularity rather than the skill or talent.

To those who feel the frustration of how hard modeling is in SL and how hard we work to be good models you know I clearly feel your pain and struggles. Everyone of us strives to be the absolute best we can be. To those of you who work hard to make the lovely things we wear and who manage to balance SL and RL your efforts are what makes the fashion Industry of SL so fun and creative.

Let me say, however, that there are many fair contests in SL and fortunately, they outweigh the bad ones. I am not pointing fingers at any particular person or contest, but I am aware that my original blog posting, in a nutshell, did, and for that, I apologize. Top designers put a lot of time and effort into their contests. You can only look at some of the walls right before the finalist are announced to realize what an overwhelming task it is.

There are great fair contest out there with the best being Make IT Work where you get your outfit for free from Tres Beau and you have the opportunity to win $50,000 L in prizes. They do what they can in this contest to help a model get a shot at winning a huge reward without any personal expense.

The majority of us put our heart and soul into what we do and sometimes we do things out of frustration and disappointment on an impulse that in second light should not have been done or done differently. I should have thought things through and more clearly before I voiced my inner feelings in such a public manner. I voiced that I wanted to boycott all designer contests, however, that was out of anger and an unfair statement towards all of the designers and contest owners that do run their competitions fairly. Some of the things I said in the blog were true and some needed to be reevaluated.

I know taking a stance like I did is difficult. How do you determine a fair contest from unfair? It is often times a matter of personal opinion formed from either losing or winning, which is why I wanted to make this issue public. We need to assess as best we can and with an unbiaised mind what truly is an unfair contest so that we can put an end to them. If there is a legitimate problem, then something needs to be done in an attempt to solve it and that is all I wish to do.

Vikeejeah Xevion is just a loudmouth, wannabe, hangsabout who thinks she’s Miss It and isn’t. No apologies from her. She didn’t say anything according to her. EPIC FAILURE

We are all wanting to know what happen at this “blood Bath” that has taken place. And what did Ms. Sabine and Ms. Vikeejeah Xevion say that one has “slashed her virtual wrists” while the other has “stuck her foot in her mouth up to her thigh, and then tried to lie about it”? Enquiring minds are waiting!

The simple fact is that Model’s Workshop has never taken a single $Linden from any model for anything if they are to be believed and I believe them.

As far as Sabine goes she’d had already slashed her, virtual, wrists with her screaming snit.

and

Vikeejeah Xevion finally stuck her foot in her mouth up to the thigh, in public, which was inevitable and then she tried to lie about it. Good move. Very classy. Buh byeeeeeeee

The fashion/designer contingent turned out in force because Monica was going to turn it into a peace demonstration when it was supposed to be a declaration of war. War against the people who do cheat and victimize others and all of those present are as against it as anyone out there.

So, MW is Crap, screw you. What have you ever done for anyone in SL but yourself?.

How are you losing money at Model’s Workshop? They don’t even ask for money. All of the people who work there are volunteers. And they do not advertise themselves as either an agency or an academy. They are simply models gathering together to exchange ideas.

If you don’t like Workshop then don’t go. It’s not a requirement to anyone who is a model. But for hundreds of SL Models, the workshop has been a big part of their SL Modeling experience if only for the networking.

Sure there has been a change in ownership going back to just Monica. I think this is good but for her she needs new volunteers who can step in and help run events. Shae Sixpence and Melanie Sautaureau have been doing an amazing job with their workshosp too.

After last nights blood bath and attack on everyone in the professional modeling industry, I hope that Model’s Workshop goes down! The workshops are nothing but a way to promote themselves, collect money and advertise. Be careful if you’re thinking about joining MW. Join an academy that is proven not this one.

I agree Model’s Workshop is probably one of the best things about the SL Fashion industry. Kudos to all the people who devote much of their time and talent to run and maintain this free yet highly impactful workshops to help new models as well as established ones.

Just one suggestion… Nave, Please read “Elements of Style” by William Strunk. When it comes to writing, less is always more. Being concise and to the point is the basics of a good writer.

For the members it’s the antithesis of the greed and high-pressure selling that pervades so many things in the modeling and fashion worlds of SL. No one is asked to pay for anything – EVER.

Everything is freely given.

Information is shared. GOOD INFORMATION that might not be taught in the typical modeling school’s classes

Freebies get handed out and passed around

The group’s in-world chat is spirited: questions get answered, people consoled, obscure stores mentioned, spammers and beggars are noted and warned quickly.

Opinions are welcomed and debated without rancor ( most of the time ). No one has ever been banned, or ejected, that I know of ( except for spamming or begging after being warned not to ).

Honest contests, with great prizes, are conducted where no one has to spend a single $Linden or buy anything to enter. No $L600 boxes of junk to become part of a video that no on will ever watch.

The Model’s Workshop/Tres Beau/Maniera Modeling Make It Work contest has grown into the best FREE, monthly, styling challenge on the Grid. Every month Kimmera Madison ( and I need to mention that I happen to work for at her Tres Beau as COO ) spends a day creating a give-away box with clothing ( lots of it with Model’s Workshop logos now), accessories, goodies and jokes that 100s of people help themselves to for FREE. Viola Rookswood (CEO of Doll House Designs), Vikeejeah Xevion (CEO of Arcobelano Modeling and the event’s MC Temperance Moonites are doing a spectacular job of producing the monthly runway finales. I’m told that Dementia Navarita won over L$50,000 in prizes for her efforts in the July contest. That’s over $200US. All the finalists won something and they seemed to have fun doing it. August’s challenge box is now available at the Tres Beau mainstore

The members of Model’s Workshop owe a HUGE thank you to Annemarie Perenti of BeStyle for her generous support of everything Model’s Workshop does. The land that the Model’s Workshop headquarters is on sits upon one of her sims and we are very grateful to have it. Please thank her yourselves…………..

Most weeks Model’s Workshop has a speaker who shares something useful ( I admit that the occasional infomercial occurs ) and if the topic doesn’t appeal to you there’s no need to stay. Shae Sixpence decided, all on her own to establish a Photography sub-group, with weekly meetings, that is getting spectacular reviews and now expanding to include a Euro-friendly session. Some of Model’s Workshop’s recent speakers have included Cherie Parker – Modavia/SL Photographer of the Year 2010 and Co-CEO of Scruplz magazine, Nemi McCoy, one of SL’s most experienced models, Nox Deigan, outspoken Managing Editor of Maniera magazine, Dancer Dallagio, the in-world voice of Stiletto Moody Shoes ( a phenomenon in its own right), Giselle Temple, one of SL modeling’s best show organizer’s and directors, the list goes on and on……… We recently did a LIVE broadcast of Model’s Workshop on BOSL radio with Editorial Clarity and LaBella Farella the co-hosts of BOSL in the Morning hosting, that was widely announced and is available on ITunes too. So, if any on you have suggestions for an interesting topic that you’d like to present, or a speaker that you think would be good to have, get a hold of one of us and we’ll try to do it.

The Model’s Workshop headquarters has runways available to practice on. It has a PhotoLife 3 photo studio that Herradura has set up for everyone to use. Again for FREE. If someone needs a place to hold an ad hoc meeting they can come here and use our meeting facilities (just ask one of the group’s staff if they are around) if the time slot is open.

If you want to be involved in something that makes you feel good and have something to contribute Model’s Workshop needs help. We could use a photographer, a blogger, help with contests, mentors to speak to new models, lots of things. Please don’t come to us and say “I wanna help what do you need me to do……….” If you have an idea tell us YOUR idea, what you are willing to do. Don’t expect an assignment. Model’s Workshop in people driven not management driven.

To sum things up, other then the fact that Nave Fall is involved, what could possibly be wrong about Model’s Workshop?

Having just spoken at a Models Workshop I have nothing but praise and admiration for all the people behind an yes coming every week to learn in a safe and free place. There is an incredible feeling there, that makes me proud to model. Everyone who offers something is a learning experience. Humbles one.Kudos to all who support and attend.

Thank you for all the wonderful comments of recent. Model Workshop has been the best part of my SL Modeling Career.

Coming soon on Monday August 23rd, 2010 we will be adding a new night of Model Workshop – a night of round table discussions related to modeling.

This was the type of workshops we had when we first started but eventually moved to using guest speakers. We know that the guest speakers are very popular but wanted to bring back the weekly discussions. Each week a particular topic will be sent out to the group and we’ll meet to talk about that issue at the workshop.

We plan on hosting these workshops every Monday at 6pm starting August 23rd. The first workshop topic will be about Model Shapes. We hope to talk about how to create the perfect model shape and common mistakes that found with shapes.

I have to agree, Model’s Workshop is awesome. I’m not a model, but I like attending the workshops when I can (or when I remember) and I normally (again, if I remember), try to pull my own models, especially the models in training to the workshop as well. It’s a great learning experience for all and the people behind the scenes are amazing.

i love models workshop all the great people who be there, all the information you can get and for free, the things you learn their is wonderful, and i enjoy being around everyone and laughing and learning in a place were there is just great folks to be around.all newbie models this is the place to go to learn alot of information,make sure you make model workshop one of your groups, thanks herra and monica and all the workshop leaders who come and give their time:))and bringing the top notch people of sl fashion so we can learn what we need to know for our career’s

Many people are involved in the Model’s Workshop/Tres Beau Designs/Maniera Modeling Make It Work styling challenge contest and they deserve to be acknowledged publicly. Someone recently said that Make It Work is my event. It is not.

The others involved include:

Monica Balut and Herradura Baar (the SL originator of Make It Work) of Model’s Workshop, Kimmera Madison of Tres Beau Designs, Topaz Joubert and Sami Kutanga of Maniera Modeling and the new Make It Work Events team – Viola Rookswood, Temperance Moonites, Vikeejeah Xevion who, realizing that I am far better with people then running contests stepped in to save me from my own ineptitude.

The there are the astoundingly generous Make It Work sponsors who include:

Model’s Workshop – win and you get to wear the title ” Make It Work Winner”

Winners will also receive consideration as models to be invited to photo-shoots for future Make It Work posters and PR

If you’re good enough to win a monthly Make It Work styling challenge, aside form having some fun, you’ll win just about everything you need to kick off your modeling career……….

You can pick up the FREE challenge box jam-packed with goodies (Model’s Workshop logoed clothes, hats, etc) for each month’s event at Tres Beau’s Mainstore on Lace

The year long Make It Work challenge will conclude with a HUGE runway finale and more great prizes early in 2011. The 12 monthly events will, ultimately, hand out over L$500,000 in prizes.
If you want to have some fun enter. It’s the best FREE models contest in SL bare none.

We have compartmentalized many functions in Make It Work to preclude ANY possibility of its being subject to nepotism, collusion or any form of cheating. Delilah Spearsong is impervious to demands for information btw. Her decisions on whether the rules were complied with are final and irrevocable. She doesn’t repond to whing complaints, not even from me. She’s someones alt but I’m not really sure whose……….😛

The European (Daytime) Model’s Workshop had a strange thing happen at this week’s meeting.

A woman named Valeria Ruby spoke about her fundraising efforts on behalf of the Red Cross for survivors of recent disasters in Haiti and Chile. She was inviting Model’s Workshop members to join a group with a L$50 entry fee and mentioned that she was going to start a year long series of shows to raise funds for charity. A HEATED debate ensued harsh words being exchanged and finally with one member saying the L$50 was insignificant. Multiply L$50 many times and it becomes significant. That is no the point I’m making here. Valeria Ruby and Anrol Anthony of the Classic With Style Agency ran a charity auction event recently that had many well-known designers and models involved. It raised a fair amount of money I’m told. Where that money wound up is unclear to me at this time. I don’t have the time or patience to follow the money in this case. That’s my point…………….

Several of us have tried to confirm who Valeria Ruby is in RL with various Red Cross chapters where she lives without success. She claims to be licensed and verified by the Red Cross. By who I have no clue.

For the record, Model’s Workshop is in favor of charities but we do NOT endorse any of them. There are many 100% honest ones in SL for you to choose from and support. None of those have approached Model’s Workshop for help that I am aware of , until Valeria appeared.

I’m not saying that Valeria Ruby isn’t legitimate, or accusing her of any wrongdoing. I’m merely saying that Model’s Workshop doesn’t want to be involved in her INDIVIDUAL, or any other charity’s, COMMUNAL, fundraising efforts at this time.

Valeria was granted the opportunity to address the group without being vetted and now we’ve done our research and decided not to participate in her future activities. If anyone has questions or comments you can contact Valeria Ruby directly in-world. Tell her Nave sent you.

i really hope the Brittney in this is not me, because i didnt say anything sbout Model Workshop, i love model workshop, i took some classes from it, i learned so mething about runway walking i didnt realize, so im all for this group!

If only models you came to Model’s Workshop first you’d save yourself a lot of wasted time, wasted $Lindens and other assorted painful experiences.

You’d get instant access to some of SL’s smartest and most experienced models with a simple IM most of the time. You’d get nurtured, counseled, pep talked and spanked depending on what you seemed to need at that moment. You’d get some really good “free” contests to try yourself out in. How good does this sound to you?

There’s none of this stuff:

You can “win” a chance at “free” modeling academy classes if you sign up NOW NOW NOW. 25% discount to the first 1o to sign up. Call now – operators are waiting. You “ONLY” need to get 3000 votes @ L$10 each on our voting boards. But that’s not all. (Breathlessly now) We’ll make you famous and we’ll get you on YouTube and ohhhhh yeahhhhhh you can be interviewed for our exclusive, unique, massively subscribed to, highly edited, “professionally” photographed, widely sponsored by “famous” SL designers magazine……… So hurry, sign up now. Join our exclusive Bollywood Waltz to Fame group for only L$5000 and you can enter the fabulous, marvelous, glamorous, stellar world of SL high fashion, haute couture modeling. Read our testimonials: Linden Labs says” Famoose Modeling is the best in SL. Learn to twirl your way down a runway……….. We only employ the best trainers and everyone out there copies us because we are “Simply the BESTEST!!!!!!!!!” Hurry, hurry, hurry…………………… Refer your friends and get a free t-shirt too. read out thread on Agencyreport and the glowing comments there. Would those anonymouse models lie about our fabulouse training regimen?? Would they? Not a chance……..

My point is this:

Model’s Workshop would never do that. We never raid other groups membership lists for people to spam every single day. We just consistently, week in week out, provide the best absolutely “free” seminars on modeling in SL. No one will ever ask you to buy anything. You don’t have to join the group or wear a tag. EVER. If they do Monica kill them unless Herradura gets to them first.

Now Model’s Workshop haa 2 meetings a week. European and American times. With different speakers and different topics.

If you don’t like me you can IM Monica Balut or Herradura Baar or one of the 500 members of the group and ask about it.

Don’t agonize, Brittney, just come to a meeting. We don’t hold hands and recite the 12 Steps I promise you. Okay they did get me on a runway and down to a thong last week but that was unusual……….. I think I looked damn good up there btw.

I promise you’ll have fun. Ask Lacey FireHawk or Sazzy Oh, who won the January and February Make it Work Contest Series respectively. Both walked away with a ton of good stuff. Tres Beau shopping sprees. Prism shopping sprees. Maniera Academy Class vouchers, + cash and other assorted goodies………

Neither Lacey nor Sazzy, paid $L1 to Model’s Workshop or anyone involved with it. Ask them………. If there’s monthly contest that matches the price to enter and prize pool handed out I’d like to know what it is please? Tell me………

Being a RL model i have been to a few of the model workshops and i must say for a game its well done.
Of course you can not simulate the real thing and the you can see the cat walf is as false as it comes but your doing well.

The one thing that gets up my nose is the modelling agencies i do not know who thought the idea up but its the biggsest load of rubbish ive seen.
To the Girls of Model workshop well done i can’t wait to drop in again to see how you go

Loves how nobody i ever heard of or seen in any show/agency or modelling circle judges me?..i dont need to defend myself to the likes of nobodies like you dear but if you would like to see my c.v. feel free…kisses xxx

if yours is better than please share it or take your own advice and button it🙂

8 hours left to get your “Make It Work 2010” January entry in to Herradura Baar.

This contest is the best one you’ll ever enter in SL with not one thing, nothing to buy.

What are you waiting for……….?

C’mon show us what you got.

You think you’re good prove it

If you are a finalist in this you can put that on your bio with pride. Myabe Monica will create a title for the finalists too sport.

Think about this. We will have 12 monthly winners at the end of the year. What if we have a SHOWDOWN between them with a BIG prize for the one who prevails. Did I tell you taht once you win a month you aren’t allowed to win again this year until the end…………..

Think about it.

I’m just

Nave

(I’m trying to get those Farouche Tres posts off the front page btw so feel free to comment)

I am happy to say that we are working with Sweetsmiling in order to bring the Model Workshop to a European Time Zone. It may be a month until this gets started – but we really want to make this service available to all models, not just those of us who are in the states.

I’m no model…………. I still have a ball at Model’s Workshop every week and I get to check out all kinds of purty wimmens. I get to lean against the wall and look cool and nobody makes me take a seat if I don’t wanna sit (they did hang me from the ceiling by my heels once). I get batted around the sim like a ping pong ball by Herra, Monica, Kat and Kim for making cracks about da purty wimmens.

Okay okayyyyyyyyyyy

Seriously now. Model’s Workshop is the best training deal for an ASPIRING model that exists in SL.

We get GREAT speakers most every week. We have some spectacular ones coming up too

We have TERRRRRIFIC contests (Herra’s Make It Work 2010 has over L$30,000 in prizes this MONTH alone!!!!! This is not the finale of a year-long contest. It’s the first month. Can this contest get any better???? It’s free, you don’t have to buy a thing and it’s fun. Next month the guys (except me wwwtfw)get to play too.

Just about ANY modeling question can be asked and it WILL get answered.

We don’t have toooooo much drama (I’ve been told to STFU once in a while. Go figure,:P).

Now we’re going to accommodate the Euros with another weekly meeting friendly to them.

I am working to possibly do Saturday or Sunday morning workshops. I know a few Europeans I would love to bring in as guest speakers.

I mean one of the toughest things with European timezone workshops is that none of the main leaders are European – we are all states. However if someone who is European would like to be a leader, I think this would be awesome😀

If you haven’t noticed we’ve SUBSTANTIALLY dialed up the volume on SL’s Model’s Workshop for the new year.

We are maxing the sim every week now. Hell, we may need to expand. It’s still every Thursday at 5 SLT.

Yesterday we had a double session starting with the How low can you go? – ARC contest @ 4 SLT which was a fight let me tell you. Then KaylenaMaria Destiny spoke at 5 SLT and today @ 2 SLT Mimmi Boa, Mis Virtual World 2009 is conducting a session.

So we have:

New speakers every week

New FREE Contests with tons of prizes every month

So far we have these prizes for January:

❇ A shopping Spree at Tres Beau valued at $10,000L. 2nd & 3rd place will also receive gift cards from Tres Beau.

❇ Opportunity to do an upcoming photoshoot for Tres Beau with one of Kim’s award-winning designs

❇ A Balut Runway HUD with personal instruction on using it from its designer Monica Balut, Model’s Workshop own founder.

❇ A scholarship to Maniera Academy, compliments of Topaz Joubert, CEO of Maniera (if you are a pro already, you can give it to someone you love)

❇ A set of poses from Sizzle Poses compliments of creator Lorra Undercroft. (To die for poses)

❇ Hair from Tukinowaguma Hair Styles – A full set of 1 hairstyle (what exactly we’re waiting for an EXACT translation on this)

❇ Anastacia Magic of Studio Nails is in – we waiting of this too

❇ Journey McLaglen of Prism Haute Couture is in also

New sub-groups – Photography for one

I’ve been told to get back to the Model’s Workshop blog………which I will do. I took it on and other things have interfered (like the Herradura Baar – Make It Work 2010 Contest, hosted by Monica Balut’s Model’s Workshop and sponsored by Kimmera Madison’s Tres Beau which I helped put together. It’s my own fault. Sorry.

Model’s Workshop is the best FREE Model training to be had in SL and if anyone wants to debate that point we can do it. IM me.

I love Model’s Workshop because there’s nothing else in SL that gives FREE top notch information and learning opportunities to succeed in the modeling industry. They bring in VIPs in the fashion industry that provides useful information that everyone needs…new and old models alike.

To Monica, Herradura and Staff:
Thank you for all your hard work and selflessness.
Please know you are all very much appreciated.

My original vision of The Model’s Workshop was for participants to share what they knew with others for the mutual benefit of the group. “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” We’ve had a number of workshops in that spirit. A number of people have stepped forward to contribute their knowledge. However, I quickly found that there were relatively few people who were willing to contribute. That’s ok. Not everyone feels comfortable doing that.

It takes a lot of work and planning to put on a workshop like this every week. Herradura Baar has been THE most important person helping me with this project. She works her tail off to make this work. Without her, I would have burned out long ago. Her energy, enthusiasm and creativity are unsurpassed. She has put her heart and soul into this project. Sure we all have our personalities and none of us is perfect. To make a judgment about someone based on some personality characteristic or some perceived insult rather than their real contribution to make this work every week is patently unfair. I would welcome those who are critical of what is being done, or anyone for that matter, to step forward and be willing to help with the project. I am certainly grateful to all those who have expressed gratitude for what we have done so far and those who have contributed.

We recently have added more staff: Kat Msarko, Rouge Anthony, Glitter Bolissima and Nave Fall. Each has stepped forward to do what they can to make the workshop successful. As usually happens when someone works to make something happen, they too have been criticized for what they did or did not do. One the other hand, many more have been grateful for their efforts.

We welcome anyone stepping forward to help in any way. There are a lot of things that could be done. I welcome anyone who would like to work in the spirit of the Workshop to contribute in any way they can. Please contact me if you are interested.

The Agency Report is a great forum for getting consumer feedback about various agencies. However it can also be a forum for anonymous gibes. I would challenge those who are critical of what any “agency” is doing to own their criticism by being so courageous as to sign their name and /or step forward to help solve the problem. Unless of course you thrive on drama. That’s a whole other story.

I know exactly which workshop you are referring to – I was there. It was painful watching Herra fall all over herself. I wasn’t sure if she was trying to score points or if she was trying to impress the attendees. Said Supermodel is one of the most down-to-earth, kindest people I’ve ever met in SL. She’s extremely busy, but it’s not necessary to throw compliments at her, as she responds very well to honest attempts at friendship. Paulina, I think you should concentrate on making friends with people like this Supermodel. She’s the real deal and she will treat you with respect. In defense of the Model’s Workshop, I would like to say that I believe the spirit of the workshop still burns brightly in Monica. Tapping Monica on the shoulder…Monica, maybe it’s time for you to regroup and revisit your mission statement; what was once an altruistic concept is slowly losing its focus.

I used to have great respect for Model’s Workshop until a month ago when I met one of the founders Herradura. I politely said hello to her and complimented Model’s Workshop but I was ignored/brushed aside. But when a certain Big Name Supermodel came in the room. Herradura couldn’t stop all the high praises. I feel that if you represent Model’s Workshop that seems to advertise helping new models in the industry,You should act as you advertise. I feel that the founders of Model’s Workshop used this to promote their career in the sl fashion industry instead of actually helping people. Whether you like it or not, as a founder of Model’s Workshop, people consider you a role model but your DIVA behavior and poor attitude give Model’s Workshop a bad name.

Model Workshop is a wonderfully useful and free resource for anyone wishing to enter the modeling world but can’t afford the formal training. There are guests speakers from several resputable agenencies, designers, etc. that come to talk to the audience and give tips and share their advice of tried and true methods in this career. I routinely recommend this workshop when newbs or new people to the scene have asked me for help and advice on how to get started. But note that this does not equal formal training- not that that is required to be accepted and find work in this field of choice- but just thought I’d mention that.

I applaud Monica and Herra as well for their dedication and selflessness in helping others. They recieve no salary or payment for sharing their information and do it to see others succeed in this industry. That alone says much about their strength of character and that what they have organized is truly to benefit the modeling community. It’s also a wonderful place to network and meet with others in this industry if you hope to build up your career.

Many modelling schools exist in Second Life. Some are good, some are bad. The Model’s Workshops allow those of us who can’t make the time or monetary commitments to learn from professional, experienced sources. I’d attended one or two, and read transcripts from those I couldn’t attend, and it’s been a VAST amount of useful information. They are organized, up-to-date, and FREE. I HIGHLY recommend attending.

These workshops are awesome and I would recommend them to anyone starting out with modeling or anyone needing to make contacts or learn more or improve. It’s free information, allot of it is information that you will pay to learn at agencies. Getting a good modeling education is also good but this place is a great place to begin and it is free! They also expose you to casting calls, contests, and other opportunities. I think that what they are doing here is wonderful and if anyone is remotely interested in modeling, it’s a great way to understand how modeling works in SL and get your feet wet. I applaud them for what they are doing! Thank you so much!

1. advertising your agency, on other agency’s blog pages is not very cool

Herra Reply: We really don’t advertise anywhere. However we have invited respectable agencies to host a weekly seminar and they are allowed to promote their agency/academy.

2. I went to your class and was handed a outfit and hairstyle from the freebies library!

Herra Reply: The only clothes we’ve handed out was part of our “Make it Work” contest and we purposely picked items from those Freebie lots to see what kind of great looks one could make. We have never handed out hair or skins and we are totally opposed to the use of copy-botted products.

3. Your host demanded tips or would not go on with the show

Herra Reply: What show? At one time our workshop was hosted at the Model Majestic Conference Center and we had asked our guests if they would donate to help with tier fees. Totally voluntary and none of that money was used for anything but tier fees. We no longer use Model Majestic and Monica has graciously allowed us to use her land for the Model Workshops. At this time we do not make any more requests for donations. Tier fees are paid by Monica and none of the staff receives a salary.

I hate to say it but you are confusing the Model Workshop with another group. We are not an agency nor are we a formal academy. Our staff, which includes myself and Monica Balut (and is expanding, I know that Rouge Anthony, Glitter Bollissia and Kat Msarko are part of our staff) do not get paid for this work. We run this workshop as a way to reach out to new models and provide them a safe place to learn about modeling without being ripped off by anyone.

Dove E – I don’t know who you are, but it would be appreciated if you figure out which group made these demands and post in the proper group. The things you discuss have not been nor ever will be a part of the Model Workshop.

not sure who you are but Model’s Workshop is not an agency. There has been no show to demand tips at because they don’t routinely host shows and the shows they have hosted have been for free. The only box that was handed out was for a Make it Work contest to see your styling capabilities and that was ages ago. Feel free to dislike the workshop but please don’t put out misinformation. The workshop is free to any model that can make a seminar.

I’ve recently had tim eto review a bunch of transcripts from seminar events tha monica and Herradurra have sponsored at Model’s Workshop

How refreshing to find so much useful information, freely shared with any drama except maybe Glitter giving Herra a wedgie I think.

I owe these 2 women and the others who contributed to thses seminars a great deal………. Every model on SL does. I learned more from these transcripts then I did at the 3 fashion schools I attended. I enjoyed the schools, don’t get me wrong, but the density of information conveyed in these sessions is unparallaled.

The Workshop is great if for no other reason than the girls involved are a wonderful resource to new and established models alike. The workshops I’ve been able to attend have been well focused and informative and given us access to parts of the fashion world it’s unlikely we would have come into contact with otherwise. And due to a recent one I finally felt connected and interested enough in another academy to seek more training. They also put on a fabulous fashion show with us a few months ago now I guess it was that was very well put together and well attended. I love Monica and Herra and everyone involved.

I felt like i learned more from model’s workshop then my modeling school i go to which is just sad but i think these workshops are very informentive & give you a lot of information that some modeling schools don’t even tell you about that’s what i like about it.🙂